Method of and apparatus for producing motion-picture titles.



C. E. ECKELS.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOTION PICTURE TITLES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I9. 1918.

1,294,249; r Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

I Z%655 I Q 7 av ZM The stage setting elements in the formof,

UNITED s'rA ATE CLARENCE E. ECKELS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOIl) OF All'D APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOTION-PICTURE TITLES.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented Ed /lb llll, 19190 Applicationfiled April 19, 1918. Serial No. 229,580.

' of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMethods of and Apparatus for Producing Motion-Picture Titles, of whichthe following is a specification. r

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for facilitating theproduction of moving pictures and particularly in producing the titlesemployed therein.

It, is well known that in making complete moving pictures it isnecessary to provide a multitude of titles locatedat many pointsthroughout the film. These titles are employed in order to convey to theaudience certain information which may or may not be apparent from thepictures themselves. The titles are usually conveyed to the film byphotographing a drawing containing the title, the drawing-being in somecases, artistically decorated. However, if a separate decorated drawingis made for each title the cost is prohibitive and much time is requiredfor the production of the necessary. drawings.

The principal objection, however, to the common method of production'of. titles is I that at best the production is flat there being noperspective or variation inlight effect.

My invention contemplates the-employment of a miniature stage, which maybe in the form of a box or casing having a plurality of guides withinwhich the scenery or stage setting members are accommodated.

slides may be constructed of cardboard or thin sheets of metal, partsbeing provided corresponding to front and back drops, wings, flies,foots and set pieces. The box or casing which corresponds to the stageis relatively shallow and properly proportioned which fact permits ofperfect focus and perspective. A

What such a stage-set title most prominently does is to bring out theshadows, highlights, depth, tones and untold other touches which arelamentably lacking in the fiat drawing. Its subsidiary features are thelighting possibilities from within and without from any an 1e; maskeffects permissible by shooting t rough the sets; great economy in artwork, once a large catalogue and,

of sets and pieces has been assembled; general speed of pocketing thetitle proper and not having to await a special drawing by an artist.

The method is particularly adaptable for use'in connection withproduction work in the field. Multiple exposure and mask methods, to saynothing of dissolving, fad: ingand irising, so much in vogue with thebetter class of direction, invariably call for the titles in the field.Often, too, in consome sort in the location, script'or adaptaandsetting, apropos. Here isvwhere the title stage will permit of anyalterations and quickly proves its acclimative val-uej The method andapparatus will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying. drawing, wherein, v

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device with which the desired result maybe secured,

Fig. 2 is va transverse sectional view through the center of the same. v

It will be seen that the apparatus employed may be of a very simplecharacter and comprises a front wall 10, havingan opening 11, therein,through which the movable sets are visible for the purpose ofphotographing. The structure also includes top and bottom members 12,13,'resp ectively, which are grooved asat 14, the grooves at the top andbottom being alined, a plurality, preferably eight or more, beingprojunction with this situation, a change of vided. The rear of thedevice may have a ;wall 15, having an opening 16, therethrough, which ispreferably of asize somewhat larger than the front opening 11. Thescenery is formed by cutting outand suit ably decorating certaintransverse slides, indicated at '17 18, 19, these being arranged in, awell known manner to secure the do:

sired perspective. With an assortment of scenes i t will be apparentthat there is a s posslbility of unlimlted variation in the set tingsfor the title or action. Preferably the title will be disposed on a.sheet 20, formed as a part of or secured to'a' slide 21', this membercorresponding to the back 'drop'. Preferably also a slide 22, will beprovided which will be decorated to simutically in the box in order thatit may, if

late a curtain, the same being slidable verdesired, be. raised at thebeginning of the exposure of the setting. The drawin illustrate only afew of the many adaptations of scenery, it being understood that theview may be embellished with any desired flies, foots or set pieces.

After the scene is arranged and the title disposed in proper relationthereto, the

camera is focused on the small box and the 'necessary number ofexposures made.

which the action is visible. A perfect mask with property scenery may inthis manner be secured, the desired soft efiectbeing secured because ofthe lack of focus on'the scenery. v

I The apparatusmay further be employed for What is known as trickphotography In other Words, a trick aeroplanecan be moved across thedies and be filmed in action; also a trick automobile or a trick bicyclecan be moved along the stage fioor in the same manner during the actionof filming. 0

Also, the silhouette photograph-of the star or some character in theplay can be put in one corner or at one side of the stage while it isbeing filmed, in fact, many little pieces of set properties such asfurniture, houses, barns, silhouette of various animals for a farm scenecan be set on the stage and filmed in connection with the title.

I claim:

l. The method of making screen titles which consists in preparing a'miniature inseam stage with movable scenery, displaying the desiredtitle on a piece corresponding to a drop, then photographing the settingon the desired length of film, substantially as described.

2. The method of making titles for moving pictures, which consists inpreparing appropriate miniature scenes, then displaying the desiredtitle at a point beyond the scene, then locating the camera in suchproximity to the scene as to relatively magnify the same, and thenreproducing the composite display on the desired length of film,substantially as described.

3. The method of making moving picture titles, which consists inpreparing a miniature stage with appropriate wings, flies and drops inspaced apart relation, displaying the desired title in association withthe stage setting, then taking moving picture photo graphs of thearrangement, substantially as described.

l. Apparatus for use in making moving picture title's, comprising, incombination a casing having a front opening and provided with alinedguides arranged transversely of the opening, miniature stage scenery adated to be removably held in said guides, an a removable back memberadapted to contain the title to be photographed, substantially asdescribed.

5. A miniature stage for use in making moving picture titles, comprisingin combination a box having an opening, and miniature scenery adapted tobe slidably and removably mounted in the box, the scenery including atransverse member corresponding to aback drop on which the title to bephotographed is exposed, substantially as described.

Signed at Chicago, EL, this 15th day ofonannnon n. nonnns.

April, 1918.

Witness

